Pastor's Messages on Synod

Republished letter to the Editor of the Penticton Herald – February 16, 2022 Dear Editor: The need has become more urgent for all Christians, those little households of Gospel light scattered in our cities, to see themselves as partners in giving a witness to unity in the world. The search for unity among Christians would give a tremendous witness and hope to all who are suffering the evils of divisions. Everywhere there are men and women worn out by all…

The work ahead of us is to discern a new ecclesial model for the 3rd millennium. The agent of change is the Holy Spirit. Our work in the parishes is to pray, to listen, to analyze, to advise. Together we must take a reading of the signs of the times; look at the places of pain, the breakup of families, the mental health trials of youth, the difficulty of belonging to institutions. Who are the people being ignored in our…

Dear Friends in Christ, As we celebrate the baptism of Jesus this Sunday, we recall that His mission of bringing the good news to the world began immediately as he stepped out from the waters of River Jordan. The day he ascended into heaven, he commissioned His disciples to go and make disciples of all nations and to baptize them. This week, we are beginning something special in our parishes. We are joining our diocese to start the diocesan phase…

What is the purpose of the Synod? The purpose of this Synod is not to produce more documents. Rather, it is intended to: inspire people to dream about the Church we are called to be, to make people’s hopes flourish, to stimulate trust, to bind up wounds, to weave new and deeper relationships, to learn from one another, to build bridges, to enlighten minds, warm hearts, and restore strength to our hands for our common mission (PD, 32). Thus the…

The Holy Father has convened a Synod titled: For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation and Mission. This is truly exciting times for the Church as we begin this journey together as a Church. I have read the document (Vademecum) prepared by the Holy See for the Synod and I find it very enriching. Find below some of the riches (excerpts) I found in it. In the weeks to come, I will be sharing with us how we are to proceed…